Alberta begins implementing Auditor General recommendations

As part of the commitment to report regularly on the implementation of the Auditor General’s recommendations, the province released a status report of actions taken since the special duty report on August 7.

“I made the commitment to Albertans that government accepts all the recommendations made by the Auditor General and that we would publicly report on our progress to implement them. This update is the first step to improve oversight and transparency, and another step forward in re-building the trust of Albertans.”

Dave Hancock, Premier

The auditor general made six recommendations related to oversight of the Office of the Premier expenses and use of the government aircraft. The province is also reviewing the auditor general’s advice as it further relates to use of government aircraft as well as the government’s travel, meal and hospitality expense policy, and its corresponding disclosure policy.

“We are making immediate changes to how government aircraft are used, while recognizing that a new Premier will provide further direction on the future of the aircraft. Today’s changes are a first step towards stronger black-letter policies that will deliver the type of oversight and accountability that Albertans expect on all forms of government travel.”

Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Backgrounder

Status of Auditor General recommendations

Auditor General recommendations

Status

Timeline

Oversight of the Premier’s Office expenses and the use of the government aircraft

We recommend that Treasury Board:

establish a process to provide oversight through monitoring of the Office of the Premier’s expenses and usage of government aircraft

consider what type of oversight should be used for the expenses of ministers offices

Underway

Treasury Board will discuss options for proceeding during its meeting the week of August 18-22

Recommendation 2

Conduct periodic air transportation services program evaluations

We recommend that the Department of Treasury Board and Finance complete an evaluation of the ATS program and immediately communicate the results publicly.

Underway

Government officials have been instructed to begin this process.

Recommendation 3 and 4

Clarify aircraft use policies

We recommend that the Department of Treasury Board and Finance clarify its aircraft use policies to deal with:

any partisan and personal use of government aircraft

requirements for cost effectiveness evaluations when requesting to use government aircraft

Underway

Communicated policy changes to caucus on August 19

Recommendation 5

Re-evaluate out-of-province use of government aircraft

We recommend that the Department of Treasury Board and Finance require that a cost benefit analysis be performed, documented and approved by the responsible minister or deputy minister requesting service prior to authorizing the use of its aircraft for out-of-province travel.

Stop on out-of-province travel continues

Effective since

March 4, 2014

Recommendation 6

Report the cost of using government aircraft

We recommend that the Department of Treasury Board and Finance review its costing model for government aircraft and publicly report on the costs associated with travel on government aircraft.

Underway

Government has received the costing model used by the Auditor General.